SPORTS CARS OF THE '70s

Comments

Jay Leno has a garage with it's own kitchen with a Viking range in it. I saw an episode of "My Classic Car" on the Speed Channel where the host interviewed Jay Leno. He seems like a pretty cool guy to hang out with on an afternoon.

Great car, really fun to drive---alas, now getting very valuable and no longer available for chump change. Seems like the only way to buy an early GTV is already DONE, and be prepared to pay $15K--$25K for a nice one without swiss-cheese body and mangled mechanicals.

But compared to a Fiat 124 sport coupe, or MG GT or BMW 2002 for less than half the money, then maybe not.

I'm surprised you'd say that because every time I've described the Alfa-like qualities of the 124 Sports you're the one who jumps in and says that the Alfas are much better made (something I've kinda doubted since they got their bodies from the same place and their electrics and switchgear are mostly (ugh!) Marelli and they usually all had Weber carbs, I know... some Alfas had SPICA F.I.---I'll take the Webers thank you).

I find myself doubting you could find a very nice 2002 for the same dough.

Oh 2002s are CHEAP right now, especially if you pick the later "square tail light" models. You could probably buy 3 2002s for one nice GTV. Of course, a late 2002 is heavy, slow and not a whole lotta fun to drive, and no 4 cylinder German engine of the day revs like a 1750 Alfa motor. Your only equivalent to a GTV would be the 2002 Tii, and they are still not as pricey (but getting close).

Fiats are cheaper than Alfas...perhaps not as vast a difference as between a VW and a Porsche from the 60s, that's true, but the Alfa uses better materials all 'round and fit and finish are better. Fiats in the 60s really were quite cheesy.

I personally wouldn't be quick to diss the MG GT---this is a very pleasant well-made car---somewhat stone-age compared to a GTV or a 2002---but fun to drive, with a torquey engine, and great utility as a little hatchback. Also much easier to fix than the German or Italian equivalents, (you could repair one shopping for parts at Home Depot) and much cheaper and easier parts accessibility. You could mail order an entire MGB in pieces to your house if you wanted to. You can even buy new bodies for them. Neither BMW nor Alfa has this level of aftermarket support--although both are good relative to most 70s cars.